emirates7 - Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Healthcare Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, emphasized the importance of World Sickle Cell Day, observed every year on June 19th, as a key opportunity to enhance public understanding of the disease, offer support to patients and their families, and highlight efforts to lessen its health and social burdens.
In remarks to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Dr. Al Mannaei described sickle cell disease as an ongoing global public health challenge that deeply affects patients’ quality of life and imposes long-term stress on families. “At the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, our goal is to transform this reality through innovation, early diagnosis, and personalized healthcare,” she said. “We are committed to cultivating a healthier population, providing world-class care, and fostering resilience through continuous innovation.”
She explained that their strategy starts with prevention. “Through our Premarital Genetic Screening Programme, we enable couples to make informed decisions to reduce the incidence of hereditary diseases such as sickle cell in future generations,” she said.
Dr. Al Mannaei also spoke about the shift toward prediction-based and individualized care, moving away from traditional reactive methods. “Using tools like the Emirati Genome Programme, we’re taking a more proactive stance on managing sickle cell disease. By including the condition in our newly launched Newborn Genetic Screening Programme, we can ensure early diagnosis, timely treatment, and better health outcomes for families across Abu Dhabi,” she noted.
Highlighting advancements in treatment, she praised the introduction of the CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing therapy CASGEVY, developed in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre and global biotech company Vertex Pharmaceuticals. “This is the first time such a groundbreaking treatment is being offered in the UAE,” she announced.
Dr. Al Mannaei also underscored the significance of continued investment in medical research. Through a collaboration with the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an and the Research and Innovation Fund, the Department is backing studies aligned with healthcare priorities. She noted that one of the funded projects focuses specifically on anaemia and sickle cell disease, exploring their broader effects on healthspan.
In remarks to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Dr. Al Mannaei described sickle cell disease as an ongoing global public health challenge that deeply affects patients’ quality of life and imposes long-term stress on families. “At the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, our goal is to transform this reality through innovation, early diagnosis, and personalized healthcare,” she said. “We are committed to cultivating a healthier population, providing world-class care, and fostering resilience through continuous innovation.”
She explained that their strategy starts with prevention. “Through our Premarital Genetic Screening Programme, we enable couples to make informed decisions to reduce the incidence of hereditary diseases such as sickle cell in future generations,” she said.
Dr. Al Mannaei also spoke about the shift toward prediction-based and individualized care, moving away from traditional reactive methods. “Using tools like the Emirati Genome Programme, we’re taking a more proactive stance on managing sickle cell disease. By including the condition in our newly launched Newborn Genetic Screening Programme, we can ensure early diagnosis, timely treatment, and better health outcomes for families across Abu Dhabi,” she noted.
Highlighting advancements in treatment, she praised the introduction of the CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing therapy CASGEVY, developed in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre and global biotech company Vertex Pharmaceuticals. “This is the first time such a groundbreaking treatment is being offered in the UAE,” she announced.
Dr. Al Mannaei also underscored the significance of continued investment in medical research. Through a collaboration with the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an and the Research and Innovation Fund, the Department is backing studies aligned with healthcare priorities. She noted that one of the funded projects focuses specifically on anaemia and sickle cell disease, exploring their broader effects on healthspan.